Experience ultimately proved decisive as Nigeria’s football aristocrats, Nasarawa Amazons and El-Kanemi Warriors, overcame spirited challenges from first-time finalists Heartland Queens and Ikorodu City to emerge champions of the 2026 President Federation Cup in Asaba on Saturday.

Both debutants arrived at the Stephen Keshi Stadium dreaming of fairytale endings, but the established campaigners showed why pedigree still matters on the biggest domestic stage.

In the women’s final, Heartland Queens, who had stunned more fancied FC Robo Queens of Lagos in the semi-finals, looked poised to complete a memorable run when Chizoba Johnson broke the deadlock early in the second half.

The Owerri-based side held their advantage for much of the contest and appeared within touching distance of a historic triumph before Nasarawa Amazons responded through Judith Adaobi, whose equaliser restored parity and set up a tense finale.

 Nasarawa Amazons celebrating their triumph with the trophy.

With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the match was decided from the penalty spot.

The shootout proved every bit as dramatic as the contest itself, stretching into sudden death before Coach Christopher Danjuma’s experienced Amazons held their nerve to prevail 6-5 and claim yet another major domestic honour.

The victory further underlined the Lafia club’s status as one of the most successful teams in Nigerian women’s football.

The men’s final followed a similar script, with experience again overcoming youthful ambition.

A first-half penalty converted by Muktari Ismail proved enough for El-Kanemi Warriors to edge Ikorodu City and reclaim the famous trophy.

The Maiduguri side took the lead after Ismail calmly dispatched his spot-kick and thereafter produced a disciplined defensive display to withstand relentless pressure from the Lagos club.

Ikorodu City, appearing in their first Federation Cup final, dominated large periods of the second half and pushed hard for an equaliser, but El-Kanemi’s resilience ensured the solitary goal remained decisive.

The triumph not only handed the Warriors the prestigious trophy but also secured Nigeria’s second slot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

El-Kanemi Warriors will now join Nigeria Premier Football League third-place finishers Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan as the country’s representatives in Africa’s second-tier club competition.

For the two debutant finalists, there was disappointment but also pride. Heartland Queens and Ikorodu City demonstrated throughout the competition that they belong among the nation’s leading clubs, even if the final hurdle proved just beyond their reach.

For Nasarawa Amazons and El-Kanemi Warriors, meanwhile, Saturday’s victories reaffirmed a timeless lesson in football: when trophies are on the line, experience remains one of the game’s most valuable assets.
 

AWARDS

 

WOMEN’S COMPETITION

 

Winner: Nasarawa Amazons

Runner-Up: Heartland Queens

MVP: Ayatsea Hembafan (Nasarawa Amazons FC)

Top Scorer: Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels FC – 4 goals)

Best Goalkeeper: Udoka Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons FC)

 

MEN’S COMPETITION

 

Winner: El-Kanemi Warriors

Runner-Up: Ikorodu City

MVP: Muktari Ismail (El-Kanemi Warriors FC)

Top Scorer: Imam Bala Magaji (Wikki Tourists FC – 6 goals)

Best Goalkeeper: Temitope Suleiman (El-Kanemi Warriors FC)

 

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The battle for a place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 President Federation Cup women’s competition will take centre stage on Monday as eight thrilling Round of 16 fixtures are set to be played across different centres in the country.

Defending champions Rivers Angels will face Abia Angels in one of the standout fixtures billed for the Eket Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State, with kick-off scheduled for 4 pm.

In Akure, Lagos-based FC Robo Queens will square up against Remo Stars Ladies in a South-West derby expected to produce fireworks, while Ahudiyannem Queens confront Heartland Queens in Enugu in another early kick-off fixture slated for 1 pm.

Bayelsa Queens, one of the pre-tournament favourites, will take on Ibom Angels in Awka, as Plateau United Queens tackle Sunshine Queens in Abuja in matches expected to test the ambitions of the title contenders.

Confluence Queens will also battle Esthington FC in Enugu, while the Oriental derby between Delta Queens and Edo Queens in Awka is expected to headline the day’s fixtures because of the long-standing rivalry between both sides.

In Kaduna, Naija Ratels will slug it out with Nasarawa Amazons in what promises to be another keenly contested encounter between two top women’s football sides.

With places in the last eight at stake, fans are expected to witness intense competition as clubs continue their quest for national silverware in Nigeria’s oldest domestic cup competition.

All matches will be decided on Monday, June 2, across the designated venues.

President Federation Cup: Women’s Round of 16 Fixtures

Rivers Angels Vs Abia Angels – Eket, Akwa Ibom (02/06/26): 4 pm

FC Robo Queens Vs Remo Stars Ladies – Akure (02/06/26): 1 pm

Ahudiyannem Queens Vs Heartland Queens – Enugu (02/06/26): 1 pm

Ibom Angels Vs Bayelsa Queens – Awka (02/06/26): 1 pm

Plateau United Queens Vs Sunshine Queens – Abuja (02/06/26): 4 pm

Confluence Queens Vs Esthington FC – Enugu (02/06/26): 4 pm

Delta Queens Vs Edo Queens – Awka (02/06/26): 4 pm

Naija Ratels Vs Nasarawa Amazons – Kaduna (02/06/26): 4 pm

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By Kunle Solaja.

The race for domestic football supremacy in Nigeria is set to continue in the President’s Federation Cup as the Round of 32 fixtures throw up several high-profile clashes, including a heavyweight showdown between Rangers International F.C. and Rivers United F.C.

Fresh from their fierce battle for honours in the just-concluded Nigeria Premier Football League season, the two sides will meet again at the Uyo Township Stadium on June 1 in what is widely expected to be the star fixture of the round.

The clash rekindles the rivalry between the league champions and runners-up, with both clubs eager to continue their pursuit of silverware in Nigeria’s oldest football competition.

Another intriguing fixture will see relegated sides Wikki Tourists F.C. and Bayelsa United F.C. battle in Lafia in a contest between two teams seeking redemption after disappointing league campaigns.

Defending champions Kwara United F.C. begin the defence of their title against Sokoto United F.C. at the Area 3 Stadium in Abuja.

Former champions Bendel Insurance F.C. will take on Crown F.C. in Lagos, while Enyimba International F.C. will face Gombe United F.C. in Makurdi.

Other notable fixtures include El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. against Akwa United F.C. in Abuja, and Shooting Stars Sports Club taking on Kada City F.C. in Minna.

The full Round of 32 fixtures are scheduled for June 1 across various centres in the country.

Fixtures:

• Kwara United F.C. vs Sokoto United F.C. – Abuja Area 3
• Sapele Lions vs Adamawa United F.C. – Makurdi
• Bendel Insurance F.C. vs Crown F.C. – Lagos
• El-Kanemi Warriors F.C. vs Akwa United F.C. – Abuja FIFA Goal Project
• Shooting Stars Sports Club vs Kada City F.C. – Minna
• Wikki Tourists F.C. vs Bayelsa United F.C. – Lafia
• Bida Lions vs Warri Wolves F.C. – Osogbo
• Flight FC vs Mighty Jets F.C. – Lafia
• Rivers United F.C. vs Rangers International F.C. – Uyo Township Stadium
• Ejigbo City vs Nasarawa United F.C. – Benin City
• Kogi United vs Plateau United F.C. – Lafia
• Ingas FC vs FC Basira – Anyigba
• Ikorodu City F.C. vs Jigawa Golden Stars – Anyigba
• Enyimba International F.C. vs Gombe United F.C. – Makurdi
• Sunshine Stars U-19 vs Warinje FC – Abuja Area 3
• Barau FC vs Abakaliki F.C. – Abuja Bwari.

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